ASML Acquires 11% Stake in Mistral AI Boosting European Tech Sovereignty

Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASML has made a major investment of approximately $1.5 billion in French AI startup Mistral AI, acquiring an 11% stake and becoming its largest shareholder. This strategic partnership aims to bolster Europe's digital sovereignty and position the continent as a leader in artificial intelligence, challenging the dominance of U.S. tech giants like Google and OpenAI. Mistral, valued near $12 billion and founded by former DeepMind and Meta executives, develops advanced AI models that outperform competitors such as Meta’s LLaMA. ASML plans long-term collaboration with Mistral to integrate AI technologies across its production lines, leveraging Mistral’s strength in business-focused AI applications like optical character recognition. European politicians and industry experts see this as a significant step toward reducing dependence on U.S. hyperscalers and enhancing regional innovation and tech autonomy. The deal may also reframe ASML not only as a semiconductor equipment leader but increasingly as a key player in the AI sector.